U.S. Zinc Campaigns to Fight Zinc Deficiency Deaths in Children

HOUSTON, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A few months ago, Houston-based U.S. Zinc adopted the international "Zinc Saves Kids" initiative, which helps provide vital supplements to undernourished children in developing countries who suffer from zinc deficiency-related health problems. Now, the company's internal "Zinc Saves Kids" fundraising campaign has caught the eye of its business partners.

After meeting with U.S. Zinc regarding the program, the American Galvanizers Association (AGA) has decided to share this prototype campaign with its members at AGA's annual convention in the Bahamas in spring 2011. The purpose of the presentation is to urge their associates to adopt their own version of a "Zinc Saves Kids" program.

"Zinc deficiency is a worldwide problem, with more than 450,000 children under the age of five at risk of dying every year," said Manfred Stanek, CEO of U.S. Zinc. "Zinc-containing supplements are a quick and easy, effective and inexpensive way to keep these children healthy and help them develop to their full potential. The 'Zinc Saves Kids' campaign is an opportunity for companies worldwide to embrace a long-term cause that helps save lives."

U.S. Zinc's parent company, Votorantim Metais, adopted the "Zinc Saves Kids" initiative in its South American locations earlier this year, asking employees to make donations. Recently, U.S. Zinc rolled out the campaign to all of its U.S. plants, agreeing to match all employee donations. The company also developed materials for any business looking to roll out its own "Zinc Saves Kids" fundraising program. It is this program that caught the attention of the AGA.

"We are committed to supporting the 'Zinc Saves Kids' initiative in every way possible," Stanek said. "This presentation opportunity with the AGA is just the beginning of showing companies how easy it is to implement their own individual fundraising programs."

Launched by the International Zinc Association, "Zinc Saves Kids" aims to raise $3 million over a three-year period from the global zinc community. Monies will be used to fund UNICEF-supported zinc supplementation programs. Similar programs are already in existence in countries such as Peru with excellent results, especially in the treatment and prevention of diarrhea, the second most common cause of child deaths worldwide.

About U.S. Zinc

Headquartered in Houston, U.S. Zinc is a progressive worldwide supplier of zinc dust and the largest producer of zinc oxide in the world. With plants in North America, South America and Asia, the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazilian-based Votorantim Metais (VM), one of the five largest zinc producers in the world. For more information, visit www.uszinc.com.

SOURCE U.S. Zinc